John H Hoefker

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Again a thread about PR airman!
John H Hoefker obtained 8,5 victories flying F-6 Mustangs.
He scored part of his claims in June 1944 claiming 3 Bf 109 ( one each time on the 7, 20 and 29 June ).
In DECEMBER 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, he was shot down twice. In one of this sorties, he crash-landed behind enemy lines and walked back. I am looking for the DATE and serial number of his F-6 Mustang on both occasions he was shot down. ( Mr Frank Olynik, do you have anything about these incidents, please!? )
John H Hoefker again scored on the 31st March, 8th April and 10th April 1945. ( does anybody have the type of German aircraft shot down / local / and time )?
I again do thanks in advance those who will answer and help the fans of PR airmen who are researching on this Forum.
Yours
Adriano Baumgartner

[Leendert]

Adriano,

One was F-6D 44-14597 (SM-A) on 23 Dec 1944.

Regards,

Leendert

[Kocab Zdenek]

Hi,

Do you know the exact day of promotion of the following pilots

Clyde B. East to 1st Lt, Capt and also Maj
John H. Hoefker to 1st Lt, Capt and also Maj

Regards Zdenek Kocab

[Fastbuck]

Maj. John H Hoefker is my first cousin once removed. He passed away several years ago. I always loved to hear his WWII stories.
I have a drawing of the F-6C which he said was his favorite. He also few 11 combat missions in a Spitfire while attached to the RAF. His daughter lives nearby and she has all his records, log book and photographs. I have been meaning to pay her a visit and gather information. Possibly copy that log book. There was a very good article about Maj. Hoefker in Air Classics magazine in the Mar 1988 issue. It goes into quite a bit of detail about each of his kills. He is officially credited with 8.5 kills. Due to some sort of filing requirements I have read that that number should have been 10. He told me that he had shot down 13 but didn't have enough proof for the extra 3.

[Fastbuck]

This is a drawing of Maj. John Herman Hoefker's favorite F-6C showing correct serial number and squadron numbers.

[Fastbuck]

John H Hoefker was promoted to 2nd Lt. in March of 1942. I do not have the exact date. By March of 1944 he was a Capt. He was promoted to Maj. after returning to the U.S. after the War.

[Fastbuck]

Originally Posted by Leendert

Adriano,

One was F-6D 44-14597 (SM-A) on 23 Dec 1944.

Regards,

Leendert

I believe SM-A should be 5M-A.

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Fastbuck

He also few 11 combat missions in a Spitfire while attached to the RAF.

Hi Fastbuck,

What RAF unit(s) was he attached to?

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Fastbuck]

Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher

Hi Fastbuck,

What RAF unit(s) was he attached to?

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

Andy
my information shows he was assigned to No. 165 Squadron at Kenley.

Buck Seibert

[Andy Fletcher]

Buck,

Many thanks. Do you know the dates he was with 165 Sqn.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher